Irving mill faces steep fines after being charged with polluting St. John River

SAINT JOHN, N.B. – Irving Pulp and Paper is facing 15 counts of polluting the St. John River at its mill near the Reversing Falls tourist attraction.

An Environment Canada spokesman says Irving has been charged under federal Fisheries Act provisions on the deposit of harmful substances into fish-bearing water.

James Parker says the mandatory minimum fine is $200,000 per conviction, with a maximum of $8 million per count. The charges were laid Nov. 1.

Irving spokeswoman Mary Keith says the charges “relate to issues that were self-reported” by the company.

She says the mill is in compliance with environmental laws.

Keith says the mill’s 350 employees make safeguarding health and the environment their “everyday priority.”